Epiphone Limited Edition Les Paul Custom Blackback Electric Guitar 

Comments about Epiphone Limited Edition Les Paul Custom Blackback Electric Guitar:

The set-up was spot on out of the box, which is surprising because I bought it used here at Musicians friend (someone tinker'd with it... and did a good job).

The finish was a bit rough at the cutaway (paint went too far over the binding), and the binding on the headstock had some tiny gaps (but wasn't loose, it was 'acceptable'). In other words its not finished like a 3k Les Paul. But it doesn't look "cheap" by any means. I find myself being more careful with it than I had originally planed...

That said, the construction is SOLID; the neck is true, the body is not weight relieved, it feels solid. The pickups give out the correct sounds (but that's the only downfall with this model: unlike the prophecy LP Custom model it does not have Gibson pickups... they would have to be 57s, and those aren't cheap). It's a good enough guitar that one could just upgrade the pickups to duncans or Gibsons (its dying to have 57s) and have a pretty awesome rig. It's good enough 'as is' though.

In terms of the wood: keep in mind that it is made of only Mahogany, as opposed to the the now popular mahogany/maple combo of modern Les Paul's. They do this on the Gibson 2013 LPJ's so I assume it's just cheaper. But it gives it a really warm sound, and not being weight relieved it's actually quite phenomenal feel and tone. I use it for Blues and Jazz and its warmer than the sun's core. Did I say this guitar was warm? Ok... one more, its like an electric blanket in the midst of a Canadian winter.

It would be a perfect primary guitar for beginners and novices and a great secondary guitar or workhorse for musicians of any caliber. I can't say this enough, IT DOES NOT FEEL LIKE THOSE CHEAP EPI LP STUDIOS. The neck feels right, not cheap. Very impressed with it! If you grab one used you just bought the most guitar possible for the money on this site IMO.

Comments about Epiphone Limited Edition Les Paul Custom Blackback Electric Guitar:

This guitar is amazing for the money. I have played Gibson les Pauls before, but this guitar plays just as well. Its great for blues rock and any other kind of rock for that matter. I would recommend this guitar to anyone. The body is beautiful, gold hardware, classic humbuckers , etc. The only thing was my toggle switch for the pickups broke after a year and a half of use. But to me it was a non issue. I just bought a new switch and now its good as new.It was a very minor issue. I cpild not be more pleased with this amazing guitar.

Comments about Epiphone Limited Edition Les Paul Custom Blackback Electric Guitar:

Back in 2010 I had to sale my Gibson Les Paul Studio due to economic times. Since then I really missed having a Les Paul. I decided that I would try an Epiphone because I did not feel right spending the money on another Gibson. I love this guitar. If you can get the chance to get one of these babies, you should!!!
This guitar has everything you would expect from a Les Paul. I usually play Blues and classic rock and this girl can do it all. The tone and volume knobs responed well and the tuners hold the tuning without any problems.
Even though it is not a Gibson and not built in the USA, the guitar is really well built. I checked the workmanship and the paint job and it is all flawless. I had a Gibson Les Paul Studio and this guitar is a lot heavier (not hollow in the middle.) I am guessing the guitar weights around 13-15 pounds. I like the pick-ups and with them being the "classic" series, it has a nice blusey sound for me.
I honestly feel that this guitar is better and more beautiful then my Gibson Les Paul Studio was for half the price. This guitar is is a limited Custom so it has all the beauity with the diamond headstock, and a pretty fretboard. When I went on the Gibson website, they mentioned that only 500 of these would be made.

Comments about Epiphone Limited Edition Les Paul Custom Blackback Electric Guitar:

I'd rate this instrument a solid 9 of10 due to its satisfaction factor.
All of the expected features of a Les Paul guitar are present in this instrument. This includes the fhe playability feel and sounding quality of the electronics, It plays and sounds as good as any Les Paul that I have played over the years.
I've been playing this guitar for nearly one month and found it to be of good quality build. Other than a minor adjustment to the intonation of the low E, no fault in the finish or functions could be found. I'm very impressed with the appearance that is certainly not shown in the web photos.
I believe Epiphone has hit a home run with the introduction of this instrument.

Comments about Epiphone Limited Edition Les Paul Custom Blackback Electric Guitar:

This is a fantastic guitar. For the money, you really can't get anything better. Yes, it's Chinese. Yes, it will need a pro set-up to be more playable. In fact, it's a night and day difference. The pickups are excellent clean or overdriven, and the guitar itself is gorgeous. Don't think twice. Any guitar you get that comes in a box isn't going to be perfect. It needs to be set up to meet your specifications and your playing style.
Features? A standard Les Paul Custom with some extras. Everything you've come to expect.
Yes, the build of the guitar is Chinese. Just because it's not an American made guitar doesn't make it a bad guitar. In fact, I prefer it over several Gibsons I have played through the years.
Vs. the MSRP? It's a steal.

Comments about Epiphone Limited Edition Les Paul Custom Blackback Electric Guitar:

Beautiful not perfect.Feels solid.Needed set up for action and intonation as it was WAY off out of the box..Plays well after being set up to my specs.Does it "sound like a Gibson" no ... well at least not mine.What it does sound is good. Some tweaking of EQ through a quality tube amp and she is very pleasing to the ear and fairly versitile as well.Cannot speak to longevity as of yet.Thus far very pleased.Nice servicible case as well.

Comments about Epiphone Limited Edition Les Paul Custom Blackback Electric Guitar:

Great for the money!
I have been playing now for twelve years and not professional but hopeful. I first ordered this guitar two weeks ago and it was shipped to me in a timely manner. When I opened it up I noticed around the binding the white top was a little peeled up, but the guitar sounded and felt amazing. I contemplated just keeping the guitar because it sounded so amazing but decided that since I paid this much for it I at least wanted one that looked like the guitar should look. I traded that one in for a new one no problem. I got the new one today and opened it up and it looked a lot better than the first one but still the white finish on the top is a little rough around the binding but only noticeable when looked at very closely. These guitars though sound and play just as good as any Gibson les paul studio or Gibson SG standard I have played and for half the money this Epiphone les paul is well worth it. I have played PRS, Gibsons, Fenders, ESPs, and many other guitars and believe me when I tell you this guitar can and will hang with any of them. Some many say,"Not American guitars though." And I say "Yes, even American made guitars it can hang with." The other guitar I own right now is a 1998 Fender American deluxe telecaster and I might put the Epiphone Les Paul Blackback as my main guitar.

Comments about Epiphone Limited Edition Les Paul Custom Blackback Electric Guitar:

It's made in China. The Setup and action is horrible. Volume and Tone knobs are messed up. There is a clear easy to see imperfection near the tone knob. Inspector 4 must have been high that day to let this go out the door. Shipping back!!

Comments about Epiphone Limited Edition Les Paul Custom Blackback Electric Guitar:

Received my Blackback yesterday from Musician's Friend. Beautiful looking and plays very nicely. Pickups have a nice sweet sound when clean but can get a really edgy sound when overdriven which I like as I play mainly blues. I own other Gibson and Epiphone guitars and am a seasoned player so I think this was a good deal overall for the price.

Comments about Epiphone Limited Edition Les Paul Custom Blackback Electric Guitar:

This is one of the most beautiful guitars I have ever seen. The picture does not do it justice. I have a Gibson Les Paul Studio and it plays and sounds as good as it if not better. The strings were almost perfect, needed some minor adjustments. The solid mahogany body gives it a great sounding, mind blowing tone. Stays in tune better than any guitar that I have, and I have 7 guitars. The finish was perfect. By this guitar you will not regret it.